Monday, June 30, 2014

The rockets and counter air-strikes have been relentless, and wise men have been suggesting that Israel re-occupy Gaza. Now comes the news, the bodies of the three missing teenagers have been found.

The Israeli cabinet will meet @ 230 PM (Eastern Standard Time) and probably take a decision one way or the other. There will be pressure from the USA to not escalate matters, then again one of the kids is an Israeli-American.

If yet another war breaks out then whatever is left of the mid-east will be consumed in flames. These are interesting times indeed.
..........

The bodies of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped in the West
Bank earlier this month have been found north-west of the city of
Hebron, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed today.

When the Sikh sun was at peak noon, the empire was bound by Peshawar (North-West), Srinagar (North-East), Amritsar (central), and Multan (south).

When the downfall came it was at the hands of the perfidious Albion. The Sikhs did not dwell much on this humiliation and became (along with the Gurkhas) a pillar of the British Indian Army. Then came Jalian Wala Bag, the hanging of Bhagat Singh, the brutalities of Partition,...... OTOH during the dark days of 1984, it was the BBC Foreign Service (and Mark Tully) which kept the Sikhs within India and outside informed about the true extent of crimes against God and men (and women).

As we understand the (mainly expat) Sikhs still dream of restoring the lost kingdom. The only problem is a corridor to the sea. During the peak revolution days of the 1980s there was a proposal to grab Karachi unbeknownst to patron-in-chief General Zia. Another proposal was to annex Gujarat and establish a corridor via Rajasthan.
...The SGPC observed his anniversary at Dewan Manji Sahib hall in the
Golden Temple complex. A religious function was held and prayers were
offered in the memory of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, often described as the
greatest Sikh ruler, whose kingdom stretched from the Sutlej river in
the east to Kabul in Afghanistan.

The pious lot have done it again. After destroying Syria; a war is being waged on Iraq's ancient heritage. Death, disease and food shortage is fast catching up with Iraq's second biggest city-Mosul. Though as per Praveen Swami, nearby UNHRC run refugee camps in Kurd controlled regions are still better off than Delhi's slums! Not satisfied with their grand territorial achievements, ISIS has taken the next step and renamed itself Islamic State (not confined to any country) and on first day of Ramadan, announced a Caliphate with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as "the caliph"- leader for
Muslims everywhere. Some believe this may cause divisions in Jihadist circles as boys with higher personal ambitions may refuse to work under the new Caliph. Nevertheless, for the time being, there seems to be lots of excitement in Jihadi circles.

“...Gravity. I
am told the cost of sending an Indian rocket to space is less than the
money invested in making the Hollywood movie,” ......Experts say the secret is India's ability to copy and
adapt existing space technology for its own needs....

As the West evolves it will produce more and more expensive science fiction movies which attempt to show us how civilization will end if we do not mend our high carbon-footprint ways.

OTOH, poor but technically proficient nations like India should be able to show us how low cost technology can improve human lives, even that of westerners. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C23) today helped launch French, German, Canadian and Singaporean satellites. Modi has also spoken about a South Asian (SAARC) satellite. This will be an excellent confidence building measure.

At the end of the day our goal should be to leave behind a world that treats the next generation more humanely than previous ones. Technology can solve many of the problems but in our opinion we have to find new ways of conflict management at the personal, society, national and global level. The human touch is often free of cost but the most valuable. While developing technology let us not ignore the human touch.................

Sunday, June 29, 2014

We think islamists (both dictators as well as non-state actors) are monsters for having killed a few million kaffirs. Those numbers pale in comparison to the 40-50 million Han Chinese who were murdered by Mao. There were sons who snitched on their mothers (who were never heard of again). The Chicoms are ever-ready to roll tanks over civilians. All of this happens without the benefit of a dot of remorse or awareness. If anything they are rather proud of their omlette making skills.

Frankly speaking, everything about China/Chinese scares the shit out of the rest of us. The way the Chicoms can lay down dictates (in the next decade birth rate shall be xxx) and the way the people manage to follow such dictates is scary. The way they declared the entire China sea as their property is scary. The way they performed 400 mil abortions by force (essentially eugenics in all but name) is scary.

Just the thought that someone can beat them is a fantasy. Because in order to do so you must stop feeling scared. You must persuade yourself to NOT drop your rifle (metaphorical or not) and run away at the mere sight of the "yellow peril."

But if you beat them just one time, beat them at their own game, it is like a tiny blob of light that shines out through the fog. Suddenly the fear is gone (even if momentarily). Well done to Sania for having done the impossible.

There is a message in this for India as well. Both Sania and now Smriti Irani (the new education minister) have noted that their families were unhappy with them being born. Just think about that. Abort the world-beaters and you will remain a third-class country for ever. Treasure the girl child and there may yet be some hope to spare.......India's
Saina Nehwal became the first non-Chinese shuttler to win a women's
singles Super Series title in 2014 after clinching the Australian
Badminton Open at the State Sports Centre on Sunday.

A decade back, More people were dying every month in militancy-countermilitancy associated violence in J&K than there are now in entire year! Total casualties have fallen to the level when militancy began (1988-89) and unlike the bad old days, most casualties nowadays are of the militants (and not civilians).

'

Incidents

Civilians

Security Force Personnel

Terrorists

Total

1988

390

29

1

1

31

1989

2154

79

13

0

92

1990

3905

862

132

183

1177

1991

3122

594

185

614

1393

1992

4971

859

177

873

1909

1993

4457

1023

216

1328

2567

1994

4484

1012

236

1651

2899

1995

4479

1161

297

1338

2796

1996

4224

1333

376

1194

2903

1997

3004

840

355

1177

2372

1998

2993

877

339

1045

2261

1999

2938

799

555

1184

2538

2000

2835

842

638

1808

3288

2001

3278

1067

590

2850

4507

2002

NA

839

469

1714

3022

2003

NA

658

338

1546

2542

2004

NA

534

325

951

1810

2005

NA

521

218

1000

1739

2006

NA

349

168

599

1116

2007

NA

164

121

492

777

2008

NA

69

90

382

541

2009

NA

55

78

242

375

2010

NA

36

69

270

375

2011

NA

34

30

119

183

2012

NA

16

17

84

117

2013

NA

20

61

100

181

2014

NA

10

16

42

68

Total*

47234

14682

6110

22787

43579

*Data till June 22,
2014 (Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal)

In an
ideal scenario, end of militant violence ought to be followed by
demilitarisation and a political settlement with the weakened militant
elements. The script has been played out in Bodoland, Nagaland and Mizoram with
decent results (though inter-ethnic/tribal violence is yet end in Nagaland and
Bodoland). There has indeed been less visible military presence in Valley's cities. But, right now, prospects of complete demilitarisation or any significant 'drawdown' from Valley's internal cities seem
dim for several reasons:

Elections and a cautious
Indian State:
Kashmir Valley recorded the lowest regional turnout in Indian
Parliamentary elections. Barring Kupwara district and a few Shia/Gujjar
dominated pockets; Separatists largely succeeded in ensuring a boycott in
Valley- at places (Srinagar's Bemian, Sopore) through genuine sympathy for
Hurriyat's call; and at other places (rural South Kashmir) through
assassination of Panches & creating a fear-psychosis. This has been a slap on the face for Indian State. Now, the State assembly elections are
due later this year. Usually, State and Panchayat (unlike National)
elections, record decent turnout in Valley. Given the ignominy faced in
Parliamentary polls, Indian state would not like to do anything radical,
that holds the potential to spoil the state elections (and discredit
itself further).

BJP in Centre: With BJP in Power, even Article 370, is no longer a holy cow.
Defence Minister Jaitley has already made trips to Srinagar,
mainly to assess the Security preparedness against Terrorist
threats. Modi will do the same in early July.

Kashmiri Pandit Repatriation:
There have been some
overtures by Central and State Government, for resettling Kashmiri Pandits
in Valley. Whether these overtures materialise or not, talk for the same
means there will have to be Central security forces in valley to reassure
Pandit community.

Af-Pak muddle next door and
ISIL, Al-Shabab, Boko-Haram adventures in far off lands: Requires no further elaboration.

There is
little doubt that in past, Central Governments in Delhi have acted in a
autocratic manner (spark for insurgency itself was started by a rigged state
assembly election in 1987) and there exists a really huge and horrible laundry
list of rights violation by the security forces stationed there with virtually
no convictions. At times, Kashmiri students have also been attacked by their
hypernationalist college mates in North India.

Having
said that, It has to be recognised that (unlike her esteemed neighbors) as of
today; Kashmir is free of polio, and (unlike Syrians, Afghans, Sri Lanka's
Tamilians and Pakistan's Ahmedis/Shias) Kashmiris are not jumping onto
overcrowded boats in Indian ocean or crossing over to neighboring countries for
political or religious asylum (infact many
who did cross LoC, at peak of militancy, now wish to return home).
Nor do Kashmiris go around blowing themselves in mainland Indian cities. Also
despite out-migration of Valley's Pandits and multiple attacks by separatist
militants in Jammu's temples and pilgrims in past, by and large, Jammu region's
communal harmony has been retained (leaving aside 1947 killings). Things could have been a lot worse. Credit (be it
to the local culture or the Security forces) must be given, where it is due.

Or is it a case of Confirmation Bias? I am
no longer in immediate demilitarisation camp

A year
back, I would have backed complete demilitarisation of Valley and handing law
and order entirely to Local Police. But events in Iraq, Nigeria and Pakistan
have turned me into an agnostic inclined towards holding one's ground. Given the existing popular disenchantment amongst
the Sunni Kashmiri majority and presence of significant Islamist firepower in region; there
is a very realistic chance of many a cities
falling into the hands of Islamist militants as soon as Central
military/para-military forces withdraws- assuming here that J&K State
police is no better than State Police elsewhere in India and like Iraq- if push
comes to the shove, Police may very well switch sides or simply run away.

This, in my view, will
not be followed by any dawn of Azadi. Instead like Waziristan, Northern Sri Lanka, and now Tikrit; Fighter Jets and heavy artillery may end up bombing the
entire place to retake cities, causing major civilian casualties and mass
migrations. Kashmiri separatists, even with Pakistani assistance, are too small a lot to defeat India by force. How all of this will impact with Jammu's (if not rest of India's)
multireligious settlements is anybody's guess. What looks certain is that, end
result could very well be far far worse than the present ground situation and
would take decades to heal. For long-lasting peace and prosperity in Kashmir Valley, A popular
political reconciliation/settlement in a hate free environment has to be the
goal; but at the moment, priority, has to be not allowing Kashmir to descend into
a Syria/Afghan level hellhole.

The old man implores comrades to repent..."Look at me, I am digging my own grave...". The video ends abruptly with what
looks like the swish of a blade falling upon the victim and a
one-word caption: "slaughtered".

It is starting to look like a real Grapes of Wrath scenario. Indian warships have now moved to the Persian Gulf and emergency evacuations may be ordered. Last time such mass scale evacuations happened were the Libyan war in 2011 and the Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006 (when 2,500 Indians, Sri Lankans and Nepalese migrants were evacuated from Lebanon).

Our heart goes out to the hundreds of men (also women) who must be in mortal danger from these all-out loonies. A serious suggestion for people who are in touch- please request the captives to convert to Islam. It may mean the difference between life and death. Nothing matters apart from survival- you do not want to be digging your own grave.....

An Indian naval warship reached the
Persian Gulf on Saturday as part of New Delhi's contingency plans for a possible
evacuation of Indians stranded in Iraq.

The navy has deployed INS Mysore, a
6,900-tonne guided missile destroyer, in the Persian Gulf to cut down on
reaction time if orders for evacuation are given.

The first lesson of driving that we remember is what to do when you encounter a deer on the road (upstate New York is full of deers and too many related accidents).

Now we have a duck(ling) lover who parks her car recklessly and goes looking for the mother of the little ones...as a result a father and daughter will never come back home....now the animal lover gets a life sentence....so many wrongs will never add up to make a right....A
Canadian woman who parked her car on a highway to help a group of
ducklings on the side of the road was found guilty of causing the deaths
of a motorcyclist and his passenger daughter who slammed into her car.

...Emma Czornobaj was convicted by a jury on two counts of criminal
negligence causing death, a charge that carries a maximum life sentence,
and two counts of dangerous driving causing death, which comes with a
maximum of 14 years in jail.